Derwin Pereira says critics wary of China’s belt and road should understand that all great powers seek to win political influence using the pull of economics. So far, Beijing has not detracted from this playbook.

Derwin Pereira says no laissez-faire principles can be prized more than the symbolic importance of Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines to each territory. Both are premium Asian airlines. Both are under pressure from upstarts in other parts of Asia and even in their own regional backyards. And both need their governments to accord them the courtesy given to national institutions.

While all the attention on US President Donald Trump has been fixated on his controversial policy moves, what should capture the world's attention is its strategic future. That future involves a new relationship between the US, Russia and China. It predicts the end of the end of the Cold War. It is Russia, however, that could emerge as the new international kingpin and the balancer of power between the US and China.

As President Obama prepares to host a summit with ASEAN leaders in Sunnylands, California, next week, Center for a New American Security (CNAS) Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Patrick Cronin and Pereira International CEO Derwin Pereira have written a new commentary for CNAS titled “High Stakes at the Sunnylands Summit.” The commentary is a product of CNAS’ Derwin Pereira Southeast Asian Foreign Policy Roundtables.

Derwin Pereira says as necessary as security is, it is economic integration that truly fosters peace and prosperity in the 21st century.